Politics, Legal & Regulation

April 14, 2014 @ 11:42 am By JD Alois  |  

The Investor Advisory Committee (IAC) meeting was held last week on April 10th at the SEC.  The agenda, previously published, indicated the IAC would address retail crowdfunding and review their recommendations as part of the rule making process. The meeting started with SEC Chair Mary… Read More

April 14, 2014 @ 8:24 am By Ludwine Dekker  |  

  As the European Union continues to monitor crowdfunding developments, countries in Europe, like France and the U.K., are already developing legislation in an attempt to establish a cohesive government approach. These developments make an interesting case study that can help to decide whether or… Read More

April 13, 2014 @ 8:57 pm By JD Alois  |  

As was widely expected the Governor of Alabama, Robert Bentley, signed into law the states’ crowdfunding exemption bill.  The new law allows businesses and  located in Alabama to raise up to $1 million.  Investments are capped to $5000 for non-accredited investors. The law passed both… Read More

April 12, 2014 @ 9:47 am By JD Alois  |  

Chicago tech incubator 1871 visited the White House this past week and took the crowdfunding gospel to the Obama administration asking for help.  As part of an entrepreneurial summit, five of 1871’s most successful businesses joined 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman in our nation’s capital… Read More

April 11, 2014 @ 3:38 pm By JD Alois  |  

There have been a couple of infographics produced explaining the regulatory situation in Canada following “crowdfunding” day when all of the provincial securities regulators banded together to make a joint announcement on their proposed approach towards investment crowdfunding.  On March 20, 2014, 7 of the… Read More

April 8, 2014 @ 7:02 pm By JD Alois  |  

In a double header day, SEC Commissioner Kara M. Stein also addressed the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) at their 2014 Public Policy conference in Washington, DC. Introduced by NASAA President Andrea Seidt from Ohio, Commissioner Stein dove right in to addressing the pressing… Read More

April 8, 2014 @ 1:21 pm By JD Alois  |  

In a speech given today to the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) at their annual conference held in Washington, DC, SEC Commissioner Luis A. Aguilar addressed the hot topic of the JOBS Act and some of the exemptions regarding crowdfunding. The NASAA has been… Read More

April 7, 2014 @ 4:51 pm By JD Alois  |  

The House Committee on Financial Services has scheduled a earing entitled “Legislative Proposals to Enhance Capital Formation for Small and Emerging Growth Companies”.  The hearing is taking place this Wednesday, April 9, 2014 10:00 AM in 2128 Rayburn HOB.  This is a one panel hearing and… Read More

April 6, 2014 @ 4:09 pm By JD Alois  |  

Recently we reported that Federal Reserve Governor Jeremy C. Stein gave a speech in Washington, DC, on March 24, 2014, that tackled the innovation of crowdfunding.  Apparently the subject matter was a bit of a surprise topic.  Stein was quoted saying; “Why is the Fed… Read More

April 6, 2014 @ 2:48 pm By JD Alois  |  

In a story recently filed by Chinese state press agency Xinhua, questions arose about the growing business of peer-to-peer (P2P) lending. Apparently over 70 P2P crowdfunding platforms collapsed last year, around 60 in the fourth quarter. The dramatic increase in failures has alerted investors, along… Read More

April 4, 2014 @ 2:23 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission Investor Advisory Committee has scheduled a meeting for April 10, 2014 to take place from 10AM to 4:30PM EST. The agenda for the meeting includes: remarks from Commissioners; remarks from the Investor Advocate; election of Investor Advisory Committee Chair; a recommendation… Read More

April 3, 2014 @ 3:14 pm By JD Alois  |  

Here is a great infographic on the status of equity crowdfunding in Canada.  This is courtesy of Oscar Jofre, CEO and Founder of BoardSuite & Co-Chair of the ECFA Canada. On March 20, 2014, there was a country wide announcement by Canadian regulators regarding proposed… Read More

April 3, 2014 @ 9:30 am By Ludwine Dekker  |  

As the U.S. is making major efforts to implement the JOBS Act, the European Union seems to be only capable of analyzing the developments, as J.D. Alois’ article “EC Releases Communication on Long Term Financing Including Crowdfunding” shows. The most important conclusion was that the… Read More

April 2, 2014 @ 7:59 pm By JD Alois  |  

In a posting on the Wisconsin Angel Network, the statement was made that a $1 million crowdfunding raise could cost $200,000 to complete.  Not very exciting for small companies looking to raise capital, nor the investors who are interested in funding startups.  Of course we… Read More

April 2, 2014 @ 2:11 pm By JD Alois  |  

State Securities Commissioner Commends Lawmakers on Getting Bill Passed. The Alabama House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 44 yesterday, April 1, 2014, and it now awaits the Governor’s signature to become law. State Senator Arthur Orr (R), 3rd District, sponsored the bill and with the… Read More

April 2, 2014 @ 8:00 am By JD Alois  |  

Governor Mike Pence has signed into law, Senate Bill 375, the state exemption to allow investment crowdfunding for companies and investors located in the state of Indiana.  The law becomes effective on July 1, 2014. A vital part of the Governor’s legislative agenda, the bill… Read More

April 1, 2014 @ 9:30 pm By JD Alois  |  

Governor Jay Inslee signed HB2023 last week, on March 28, 2014, making equity crowdfunding legal in the state of Washington.  This bill will allow businesses created in the state and doing business there to raise up to $1,000,000 in any 12 month period.  Any investor… Read More

March 31, 2014 @ 11:24 am By JD Alois  |  

The European Crowdfunding Network (ECN), has shared their thoughts on the recently released communication by the European Commission (EC) on crowdfunding. Last week the EC released several documents and statements pertaining to a “consultation” on the innovative new form of capital formation.  They garnered comments… Read More

March 31, 2014 @ 10:33 am By Charles Luzar  |  

A bill proposed in Hawaii’s House of Representatives aims to establish a pilot program for civic crowdfunding in the island state. HB 2631 was introduced on January 23rd of 2014 and its five sponsors include members from both sides of the aisle, continuing a trend… Read More

March 31, 2014 @ 8:00 am By Georgia Quinn  |  

Fresh from my trip across the pond, I can tell you I have seen the light. Crowdfunding can and is working and we (the United States) are behind the eight ball on this one. When describing the US regulatory regime to crowdfunding professionals in the… Read More